Girdle construction



April 7,1953 F. R. HICKEY GIRDLE CONSTRUCTION 2 SHEETS-SHEET 1 Filed June 15, 1950 I N VEN TOR. FLORA R- HICKEY April 7, 1953 F. R. HICKEY GIRDLE CONSTRUCTION 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2 Filed June 15, 1950 INVENTOR. FLORA R. HIcKaY I Patented Apr. 7, 1953 2,633,575; GmpLE cons'muc'rion r Finish.niclteyftnmtrial f 9 i Appllcatlon June'l5,1950; Seriall lo; V V

This invention-relates and, more'particularly, to new and useful improvements in girdles.

Girdles are known which areadjustable to the configuration ofthe user and othernonadjustablegirdles are known which. are openable to facilitatedonning the same. The non-adjustable girdles are, of course, limited in their use and thus often are unsatisfactory, and the known adjustable girdles are unsatisfactory in that the adjustment must. belostlinbrder to remove the same from .onesperson. Thus the girdle must be adjusted each time itis donned. One objector the invention is the provision of a girdlewhich" is openable-to facilitate donning and removing the same and which is adjustable to the particular configuration of the user, said adjustment not beinglost each time the girdle is removed, l

Another object of the invention is to construct Cl i (o1..2 39) 1 Q toladies'. undergarments I andarrange the adjustment. means so that the wearers body surface is not pinched or otherwise discomforted thereby.

'Still another object of the invention is to associate with said opening means, padding means to protect the body surface from uncomfortable contact with the said opening means.

For further comprehension of the invention, and of the objects and advantages thereof, reference will be had to the following description and accompanying drawings, and to the appended claim in which the various novel features of the invention are more particularly set forth.

In the accompanying drawings forming a material part of this disclosure:

Fig. 1 is a front view of the girdle.

Fig. 2 is a rear view of the girdle.

Fig. 3 is a side view of the girdle as seen from the right of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a side View similar to Fig. 3 but illustrates the opening means in open condition.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary view from the inside of the girdle and illustrates the protective means associated with the opening means.

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary enlarged view of the adjustment means.

Fig. '7 is a fragmentary sectional view on line 1-1 of Fig. 6.

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary sectional view on line 8-8 of Fig. 5.

The girdle, according to the present invention, includes a front portion consisting of a pair of vertical fabric panels l0 joined together at their center edges by stitching II. To the outer edge of each panel I0 is secured an elastic gusset or inset l2 and an elastic gusset or inset 13, the

former being located at th upper edge of the garment and the latter at thelower edge. Also secured to the outer edge of each; panel [0, between the elastic ,insets l2 and I3 is a fabric side panel l4, see also Fig.3. The elastic gussets 13 are each in the form of asegment which is broadest at the lower edge of the garment, and the side panel I4 is secured to the arcuate side edgethereof bystltching I51 =The upper edge of each side panel I4 is securedby stitching It to the lower edge of the appropriate elastic gusset I2.

As shownin Fig. 2, 'therearof the garment also, comprises a pair of vertical fabric panels I! secured together at their center edges by stitching l8.- The outer edge of each rear panel l! is secured by stitching 201110 an upper edge elastic 'gussetll, the sidepanel ll and a lower edge gusset 22 The gussets 2|. and 22 are substantially identical with the gussets I 2 and I3 described above, the former being secured to the 'upper edge of the-side panel by-stitching 23 and the latter to the arcuate lower portion of the side panel by stitching 24.

It will be seen that the elastic gussets l2, l3,'2l and 22 will cause the garment to hug both the diaphragm and the hips or thighs of the wearer, so that the upper and lower edges of the garment present a smooth non-bulky appearance.

In order to provide for opening the garment to facilitate donning and removing the same, the means shown in Figs. 3, 4, 5 and 8 are provided. This means consists of a slit separating the gusets l2 and 2| at one side of the garment and extending downward in the associated side panel I4 about two-thirds of the distance to the lower edge thereof. To the inner face of each lip of said slit is secured the fabric tape of a zipper fastener 25 by which the slit can be opened or closed. In order to protect the zipper 25 from the expansive forces of the body of the garments wearer, other means are provided for holding the lips of the slit in adjacent positions. One side of the slit has secured thereto inside of the zipper taping a length of fabric tape 26 to which are secured in vertically spaced relationship a plurality of eyes 21 for cooperation with hooks 28 secured on a tape 30 fixed to the other edge of the slit. With the hooks 28 and eyes 21 engaged the said slit is held in the appropriate position to be closed by the zipper 25 which is not placed under any lateral strains.

In order to protect the wearer of the garment from any discomfort dueto the zipper 25 and the associated hooks and eyes, a padded member 3| is secured to the innerface of the garment on 

